2 Indonesian Infected with Leprosy in Romania, Commission IX of the DPR asks KP2MI to tighten the health examination of PMI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Yahya Zaini, asked the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI) to tighten the health examination of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), following the discovery of two Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were infected with leprosy in Romania.

Yahya reminded that every PMI who will be sent abroad must be ensured to be healthy.

"I ask the Ministry of P2MI to tighten health checks for PMI who will be sent abroad," Yahya Zaini told reporters, Thursday, December 18.

"It must be ensured that every PMI sent abroad does not suffer from diseases, especially infectious diseases," he continued.

Yahya emphasized that the standard of health examination for PMI needs to be carried out more comprehensively and involve specialists. He also asked the KP2MI to increase vigilance regarding the health examination of prospective migrant workers.

"The standard of examination must be carried out precisely. It is not enough for general practitioners to examine but also requires specialists. Of course, with the risk of the cost of the examination will swell," said Yahya.

"I ask the Ministry of P2MI to have high SOP for this health examination. Don't let similar cases happen in other countries," he added.

The Golkar legislator from the East Java District also encouraged the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) to immediately coordinate with the Romanian health authorities, including monitoring the condition of the two Indonesian citizens infected with the disease.

"I ask the Ministry of Health to coordinate with the Romanian Ministry of Health to ensure the case. In which hospital are the two being treated," said Yahya.

For information, Romania revealed the findings of a confirmed case of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, in Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI). The disease, which last appeared in Romania 44 years ago, was suffered by two Indonesian massage therapists.

Reported by the Independent on Tuesday, December 16, the two Indonesian citizens work at a spa in the city of Cluj, northwest Romania. Both are Indonesian citizens aged 21 and 25 years old. Currently they are undergoing treatment, while two others are still undergoing medical examinations.

Even so, there is no official information about the origin of the two people who are still undergoing examination. The authorities have closed the spa while waiting for the investigation.